Coyote Hunting Colorado Laws & Regulations

Do you need a license to hunt coyotes in Colorado??A “Furbearer Only” license is available, only good for furbearing mammals (coyotes, beavers, raccoons, foxes, bobcats, etc)

You can hunt coyotes without a small-game license during big-game seasons if you have an unfilled big-game license for the same season and unit. You must use the same method of take for coyotes as your big-game license allows. Once the big-game license has been filled, hunters must purchase a small-game license to continue hunting coyotes. If you’re not hunting big-game, a small-game license is required to hunt coyotes.

Can a non-resident hunt coyotes in Colorado?Yes, with a valid hunting license.

Is there a specified season for hunting coyotes in Colorado?Year-round.

Is there a bag limit for coyotes in Colorado? Unlimited.

What are the legal hunting hours in Colorado? Legal times to hunt small game are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. An exception is made for furbearers, which can be hunted from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, striped skunks, beavers and red, gray and swift foxes can be hunted at night.

Are electronic game calls legal in Colorado? Mechanical devices designed to call wildlife are allowed. Electronic calls can be used to hunt furbearers.

Are decoys allowed in Colorado? Artificial decoys are permitted.

What firearms are approved/disapproved for coyotes in Colorado? Any rifle, handgun, shotgun, handheld bow or crossbow or live traps — limited to cage or box traps.

Are suppressors allowed in Colorado? Yes, All game animals legal.

Legal ammunition or restrictions for coyotes in Colorado? It is illegal to hunt game birds, small-game mammals or furbearers with a centerfire rifle larger than .23 caliber in regular rifle deer and elk seasons west of I-25, unless you have an unfilled deer or elk license for the season you are hunting. A small-game license is required.

Are there regulations for transporting dead coyotes or pelts across state lines in Colorado? Wildlife for which no carcass tag is required must be personally accompanied by the license holder, and wildlife shipped by common carrier must be accompanied by either the license or a photocopy of the license. Unlike bobcat hides, coyote hides are not required to be inspected and sealed prior to being transported or shipped.

Is night hunting allowed in Colorado? Raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, striped skunks, beavers, and red, gray, and swift foxes can be hunted at night.

On private land, artificial light is allowed at night to hunt beavers, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, striped skunks and red, gray or swift foxes with permission of landowner or agent.

9. On public land, artificial light is allowed at night with permit from local district or area wildlife manager, to hunt raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, striped skunks, beavers and red, gray or swift foxes. Permits are valid for time and place specified.

a. Permits are not valid 24 hours before or during deer, elk or pronghorn rifle seasons, nor opening weekend of grouse, pheasant, quail and waterfowl seasons.

b. It is illegal to hunt with a light permanently attached to a vehicle or to project light from inside a vehicle.

c. It is illegal to take furbearers within 500 yards of a dwelling, building, campground or other structure, or in areas that jeopardize human safety.

d. You must carry and show the permit while hunting if requested by a law enforcement officer.

e. CPW can deny a permit for management

f. Night-hunting permits are not issued for bobcat on public land in Canada lynx recovery areas or where lynx are. If a bobcat hunter kills a Canada lynx during bobcat hunting season, CPW will not issue any more night-hunting permits for bobcat for the rest of the calendar year in the recovery areas or where the lynx was killed. CPW also will revoke all night-hunting permits previously issued for bobcats

Are there specified weapons allowed for night in Colorado? For furbearers, any rifle, handgun, shotgun, handheld bow or crossbow or live traps (limited to cage or box traps) are legal methods of take. On private land, artificial light is allowed at night to hunt coyotes. On public land, artificial light is allowed at night with a permit from local district or area wildlife managers. Permits are valid for time and place specified. It is illegal to hunt with a light permanently attached to a vehicle or to project light from inside a vehicle.

Can you hunt from a vehicle in Colorado? By permit only issued by an Area or District Wildlife Manager when it is deemed necessary for the protection of property including crops or livestock. An exception to this regulation is the Wildlife Recreation Accommodation Permit. Hunters with disabilities, as defined in the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), may complete an application to request accommodations for shooting from a stationary motor vehicle and/or OHV; use of an assistant to track and dispatch wounded game; use of the exterior of a vehicle to support a firearm; and for big game the use of a crossbow or draw-loc during archery season.

Can baiting be used to hunt coyotes in Colorado? It must be made solely of plants or animals. Bait cannot contain metal, glass, porcelain, plastic, cardboard or paper. Wildlife used as bait can be carcasses or parts of legally taken furbearers, carp, shad, white and longnose suckers, and inedible parts of legally obtained game mammals, birds or game fish.

Can dogs be used to hunt coyotes in Colorado? Dogs are allowed to hunt small game, waterfowl and furbearers but only to pursue, bring to bay, retrieve, flush or point.

Is there a bounty program in Colorado? No

Hunting Contests: It is illegal to promote, conduct, offer to conduct or participate in a competitive event that involves killing small game or furbearers for which there is no bag and possession limit (including coyotes, and prairie dogs). Contests are allowed if no more than 5 of each species are killed by each participant during the event. Contests marked or tagged small game and game birds for money or valuable prizes also are illegal. Tokens of recognition without significant monetary value are not considered valuable prizes. This does not apply wildlife parks and field trials licensed by CPW.

This information is for informational purposes only. This website has no affiliation with any department of the above mentioned state. For your own safety please contact your local office to verify the information presented. CoyoteHunting101.com is not responsible for your own stupidity.

Last Updated: 11-1-2016

2 Comments

Nate & Brody
on May 26, 2018 at 10:01 pm

Any information you guys can provide for my son and I regarding hunting these bastidos in Colorado would be greatly appreciated!!
Hooah…